University of Iowa red-shirt freshman Thomas Gilman will represent the United States in world competition for the second straight year.

Gilman captured the 55-kilogram freestyle championship at the FILA Junior World Team Trials on Friday at Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Gilman, who was a part-time 125-pound starter last season for the Hawkeyes, swept Nathan Tomasello, 8-4, 3-2, in a best-of-3 series. He will have the chance to compete at the Junior World Championships Aug. 5-10 in Croatia.

He beat Tomasello to secure his spot on Team USA last season. He advanced to the finals by cruising through the challenge tournament bracket.

“It’s a little different this year,” Gilman said in a news release. “Last year it felt like a big accomplishment trying to make the team. This year it is an accomplishment, but I was (in Bulgaria) and didn’t win a medal, and that’s what this is all about. It’s not about winning this tournament. It’s about going overseas and competing and bringing home hardware. I’m using this as a steppingstone leading into my training for the World Championships. That’s the main goal.”

Hawkeye teammates Brandon Sorensen and Sammy Brooks, who was one Team USA last year, also competed. Sorensen was 3-2 at 66 kg, while Brooks was 2-2 at 84 kg.

See the release from the UI Sports Information Department:

Gilman wins Junior World Team Trials, will represent Team USA

MADISON, Wis. — University of Iowa red-shirt freshman Thomas Gilman scored three points in the closing seconds to defeat Nathan Tomasello, 3-2, in the championship round of the 2014 FILA Junior World Team Trials on Friday in Madison, Wisconsin.

Gilman swept Tomasello in the best-of-three 55 kg finals and will represent Team USA at the Junior World Championships in Croatia on Aug. 5-10.

He defeated Tomasello, 8-4, in the first round of the finals, and erased a 1-0 deficit with a double-leg takedown in the final 25 seconds of Round 2.

“I knew I could get to his legs. I didn’t do it much that second match, but I was moving him good, so I wasn’t really worried about it,” Gilman said. “I got to his legs and ended up in a stalemate. I was a little anxious after that, but I knew if I just kept moving him something would open up. I caught him on his heels and finished on a double-leg.”

It is the second year in a row he swept Tomasello in the finals to make the U.S. World Team. He advanced to the championship round after winning by pin and medical forfeit in the challenge tournament.

“It’s a little different this year,” Gilman said. “Last year it felt like a big accomplishment trying to make the team. This year it is an accomplishment, but I was (in Bulgaria) and didn’t win a medal, and that’s what this is all about. It’s not about winning this tournament. It’s about going overseas and competing and bringing home hardware. I’m using this as a steppingstone leading into my training for the World Championships. That’s the main goal.”

Redshirt freshman Sammy Brooks and freshman Brandon Sorensen reached the finals of the challenge tournament but were unable to advance to the championship round. Brooks was 2-2 overall at 84 kg, and Sorensen was 3-2 at 66 kg.

The 2014 World Team Trials continue Saturday and Sunday with the senior division. Former national champions Matt McDonough (57 kg) and Tony Ramos (57 kg), and Hawkeye Wrestling Club member Micah Burak (97 kg) compete Saturday, while two-time World Team member Brent Metcalf (65 kg) and national team member Phil Keddy (86 kg) compete Sunday.